USPCA backs Antrim and Newtownabbey’s call for animal cruelty offenders’ register

The animal welfare charity has said that this would “help curb the growing problem of unlicensed puppy farms”.

Brendan Mullan, USPCA chief executive, has called for this motion to be “echoed throughout all council areas”.

Mr Mullan said: “As it stands, Northern Ireland’s animal welfare legislation is lagging behind in terms of protecting some of the most vulnerable members of our society who have no voice to stand up for themselves.

“Antrim and Newtownabbey Council’s recent decision in support of registers for both licensed dog breeders, and banned animal cruelty offenders, is promising indeed and an action which we hope will be echoed throughout all council areas.

“Unfortunately, very often we see that the current bans from keeping animals are ultimately ineffective as those convicted of animal abuse are back in the courts again for the same offences.

“We are of the view that introducing a Banned Offenders’ Register, while not solving the problem entirely, will go a long way in making sure animals do not end up in the hands of the wrong people.

“Such a register could be made accessible to animal rehoming charities and reputable pet retailers to ensure that this is the case,”

Unlicensed illegal puppy farms are also a grave concern for the USPCA, especially due to the heightened demand for puppies the charity has witnessed since lockdown came into place in March last year.

“We’re saddened to see that this demand for much-loved companion animals has been exploited by illegal unregistered puppy farmers who have more interest in lining their pockets than the welfare of their pups.

“We are hopeful that the introduction of a register of licensed dog breeders would be helpful in encouraging the public to disengage with untoward puppy farming practices.

“Often, members of the public are unaware of such practices and fall victim to these individuals. Pups from such farms are frequently raised in terrible, cramped conditions which can be rife with disease and ultimately lead to heart-breaking consequences.

“We look forward to engaging with our political representatives in the year ahead to address the above issues and other matters pertaining to the welfare of animals throughout the region.”

Antrim and Newtownabbey Council will be writing to the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to ask for the introduction of a register of banned animal welfare offenders for those convicted of animal cruelty and a publicly accessible list of licensed dog breeders.

The motion was brought by Glengormley Alliance Alderman Julian McGrath at a remote meeting of the borough council on Monday evening.

It read: “The aim is to ask our Executive and Assembly to address these issues and for us to highlight them among other council areas.

“This council condemns animal cruelty in all its forms and acknowledges the work of numerous animal welfare organisations and of local councils, including ours, in tackling cruelty towards animals.

“This council notes that there is currently no register of those convicted of offences against animals and there is no public register of licensed dog breeders, allowing unlicensed puppy farms to proliferate.”

The neighbouring Mid and East Antrim Borough Council recently urged dog owners to be vigilant with stolen pets now being sold for more than £1,000. The local authority has teamed up with the PSNI on a campaign of awareness in response to the rise in dog thefts. Click here

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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